Neck Ultrasound Helps Predict Stroke

Deadly strokes may be prevented if people at high risk already know that they would suffer from it. Necessary medications and surgery may be done before such a terrible thing befall. A light to that has came this way already. A study published in Neurology found non-invasive imaging tests or neck ultrasound to be capable of predicting if a person is highly likely to suffer stroke, thus would need surgery to lower risk.

Identifying who’s at high risk of stroke can be predicted by the use of ultrasound and Doppler ultrasound tests. Common neck ultrasound helps determine whether the patient has ACS or asymptomatic carotid stenosis or narrowing of carotid arteries, the ones responsible for bringing blood into the brain. When the inner lining of a carotid artery is blocked with plaque build-up or fat deposits, the patient would eventually get stroke. If diagnosed with such condition, experts will have to wear their lab coats of their nursing scrubs to necessarily open their carotid arteries. And through Doppler ultrasound tests, microemboli or tiny blood clots or blood particles that may travel from the arteries to the brain may be detected, allowing doctors to prevent occurrence of stroke.

Pin-pointing patients who are at risk of stroke is not as easy as it seems, though. It’s a long and complex procedure that may yield different results, depending on the technician who performed the test. The composition of the plaque must be identified to be potential for embolization. Thorough medical history and neurological tests are necessary for patients with ACS. And depending on results, the patient may only need medications, closely monitored dietary program, and necessary physical activities, and not surgery at all.